Hebrews 4:13-15
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.
When I discipline my daughter, she puts her hands over her ears and tells me to stop talking. She hides her face away and doesn’t want to be part of the discussion. She just wants me to go away and behave like nothing has happened.
She is feeling upset, shame, and is uncertain of the consequences she will face, making her uncomfortable and wanting the whole situation to be over with as fast as possible.
Does this bare any resemblance during times like this in our own personnel life? Are there situations in our life that we are hiding from? Are we afraid of the consequences if we face the truth of our circumstances?
Going back to my daughter, she wants the situation to be over with as soon as possible, and as a parent, so do I! I also want my little girl to know that even through these times I still love her so much, but I don’t love her behaviour. I know that I must continue with the consequences so that she is ready to make the right choice next time, or perhaps she won’t. Let’s face it, how many times do we make the choice that fits our own desires instead of listening to our Father God, and he’s the one who created us! Maybe I’m just speaking for myself?
At least through discipline, the consequences and moments of hurt, we are directing our children in the way they should go, (Proverbs 22:6) through disciplining our children in love, the love that comes from God. Sometimes I let it slip, and I don’t follow through with the consequences when I should, (her big brother would say she never gets any consequences, and that she gets away with everything). I’d love to say that it’s because I’m giving her grace like God gives us His grace, but if I’m completely honest, it’s more of a ‘choosing my battles’ option. I’m not a perfect parent who gets it right all the time, and I’m still learning the ‘right way’.
The most important action we can take as parents, as children of God, is too seek guidance from our Heavenly Father in prayer. Firstly to examine our own hearts, and ask the Lord to reveal to us what we might have buried deep within. God’s compassion, love and forgiveness will break us free from our hidden ways and bring it to light. We do not need to hide away like our children do for fear of the consequences. We might not always like the answer He gives us, just like our children don’t always like the answers we give them, but God will pour out His mercy on us new each morning and direct us in his ways, his ways are always good. His plans are always perfect even when we don’t understand them.
Open God’s word today and ask Him to show you what he wants you to meditate on. Ask him what he wants to teach you, and for the revelation of Jesus to be tangible ask he walks with you today. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, don’t hide your face from him. Seek his face. We might not always like what he reveals to us but we can ask Him to show us how we can walk in the light of obedience and faithfulness as a child of God. Open your heart to Jesus today and let Him change you, cleanse you and purify you so that you are set free from anything that could be hindering your relationship with Him.
Let the Lord wrap his loving arms around you, have courage and lift your head up to the Jesus and receive His grace.